PUTRAJAYA: Cinemas and swimming pools nationwide can resume operations beginning July 1; while annual general meetings can be organised with strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place to avert overcrowding and ensure public safety.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision was made during a special ministerial meeting, today.
"We have agreed to allow the re-opening of cinemas, theatres, as well as live events. These activities, however, must only be held in closed halls.
"The SOPs must be followed through strictly in terms of entry, and the total number of people should not be over 250 individuals in a hall at one time. This is subject to the space and capacity of the hall while taking into consideration social distancing.
"The other SOPs – such as the checking of temperatures, wearing of face masks and use of hand sanitiser, must be complied with by the audience," said Ismail Sabri in a press conference telecast live today.
He added that public swimming pools as well as those at hotels, condominiums, gated communities and private properties must meet the pre-conditions of having stationed lifeguards or supervisors; a time limit on usage; and a cap on the number of users at any one time based on capacity and size.
The respective managements of the pools, he said, must apply for registration to reopen with the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) at notification.miti.gov.my.
This is so that local authorities can ensure compliance with SOPs and monitoring by the Youth and Sports Ministry.
"There should not be overcrowding at the pools and the number of users… must be appropriate. These are the pre-conditions that must be fulfilled.
"We do not encourage parents to bring their children to designated children's pools, although there are currently no existing restrictions in place.
"So, if parents wish to bring their children (to public pools), they need to take their own safety precautions. It is also up to managements to decide if they want to allow children into pools. We have no objections," he said.
Ismail Sabri added that tourism-related water activities at rivers, beaches and lakes are also permitted.
Water theme parks, however, are still barred from operating.
Meanwhile, meetings, conferences, seminars, courses and training with not more than 250 participants are also allowed.
Ismail Sabri said all organisations registered with the Registrar of Societies, the Sports Commissioners Office, the Registrar of Youth Office; and companies registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia can now hold their annual general meetings or other meetings.
The same goes for cooperatives registered under the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia, Farmers Organisation Authority, as well as Parent-Teacher Associations.
"We received many requests from parties asking if they can hold their annual general meetings. And we are allowing them because many organisations and associations need to convene the meetings before the year end.
"We ask that SOPs be followed, like the registration of participants, the use of MySejahtera, as well as the practising of good personal hygiene," he added.